Filming Begins On Doctor Who Christmas Special

Alex Kingston is to return as Professor River Song for the 2015 Doctor Who Christmas special, it has been announced.

Filming begins on the show's 11th Christmas special this week in Cardiff. It is written by Lead Writer and Executive Producer Steven Moffat. It is executive produced by Brian Minchin, produced by Nikki Wilson and directed by Douglas Mackinnon.

The episode takes place on a Christmas Day in the future, with the TARDIS parked on a snowy village street and covered in icicles. Time traveller River Song will meet her husband's new incarnation – in the form of Peter Capaldi – for the first time.

River Song made her first Doctor Who appearance in 2008 in 'Silence in the Library', and has appeared in 15 episodes to date.

Commenting on the reappearance of her character, Alex Kingston said: "To be honest, I did not know whether River would ever return to the show, but here she is, back with the Doctor for the Christmas special. Steven Moffat is on glittering form, giving us an episode filled with humor and surprise guest castings. I met Peter for the first time at Monday's read through. We had a laugh, and I am now excited and ready to start filming with him and the Doctor Who team. Christmas in September? Why not!"

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, added: "Another Christmas, another special for Doctor Who - and what could be more special than the return of Alex Kingston as Professor River Song? The last time the Doctor saw her, she was a ghost. The first time he met her, she died. So how can he be seeing her again? As ever, with the most complicated relationship in the universe, it's a matter of time..."

Further additions to the Christmas special cast will be announced over the coming months.

The drama is produced by BBC Cymru Wales and returns to BBC One on Saturday 19 September. It will feature 12 episodes, followed by the Christmas special on Friday 25 December.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP)